Storage container, pocket end opening cover thereof and method of forming the storage container

ABSTRACT

A storage container includes forklift pockets extending laterally near a bottom surface of the container from a lower side of the container, each pocket having an end opening located at the lower side of the container. Pocket covers are mounted to the storage container such that the end openings of the forklift pockets are covered.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/923,435, filed on Apr. 13, 2007, theentire content of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of storage containers,methods of formation of storage containers, and use of storagecontainers to ship goods.

Storage containers are used to transport goods across oceans on largeships, and across land on truck beds. In order to ship containers acrossseas, the containers must conform to the Convention of Safe Containers,which determines the dimensions and load capacities of differentcontainers. Containers of predetermined dimensions are generally loadedinto the cell (or on the deck) of a ship and stacked one upon anotherfor transport. For example, it is known to provide containers measuring20 feet in total length and 40 feet in total length for loading into thecell (or onto the deck) of a ship.

Storage containers are also used to store items at construction sites,homes, and elsewhere, and can be used accordingly upon completion ofshipping on ships. Different sizes of storage containers may be desiredaccording to the various applications for which the storage containermay be used. For example, containers measuring 10, 16, or 24 feet inlength may be desired according to various applications.

It is known to join two containers measuring 10 feet each in length toform the container measuring 20 feet in total length. The containermeasuring 20 feet in total length may be used during shipping and thenseparated into two containers measuring 10 feet in length. In thismanner, the shipping of cargo using containers can proceed according tothe length requirement, and the later use of storage containers canproceed according to the length desired for the particular application.

For a standard 40 foot container, it is known to provide a tunnelextending along a bottom surface of the container. The tunnel allows the40 foot container to rest on the bed of a chassis with or without agooseneck, where it can be used to ship cargo over land.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a storagecontainer includes a plurality of forklift pockets extending laterallynear a bottom surface of the storage container from a first lower sideof the storage container, each of the forklift pockets having an endopening located at the first lower side of the storage container. Thestorage container further includes a plurality of pocket covers mountedto the storage container such that the end openings of the forkliftpockets are covered.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method of shipping a containerincludes fixing a first container and a second container together, thefirst container measuring approximately 24 feet in length and the secondcontainer measuring approximately 16 feet in length, to form a completedcontainer measuring approximately 40 feet in length. Front panels aremounted to the first and second containers to permit a through openingof approximately 40 feet in length to extend through the completedcontainer. The completed container is then loaded, shipped and unloaded.Each of the first and second containers includes a plurality of forkliftpockets extending laterally near a bottom surface thereof from a firstlower side thereof, each of the forklift pockets having an end openinglocated at the first lower side thereof. Pocket covers are mounted tothe first and second containers such that the end openings of theforklift pockets are covered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a completed storage container according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view according to the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are a front view, a cross-sectional view according to theline 5B-5B of FIG. 5A, and a cross-sectional view according to the line5C-5C of FIG. 5A, respectively, of a storage container according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A to 6C are a front view, a cross-sectional view according to theline 6B-6B of FIG. 6A, and a cross-sectional view according to the line6C-6C of FIG. 6A, respectively, of the container of FIGS. 5A to 5C;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of a joining panel with andwithout containers attached thereto, respectively, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view according to the line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a process for use of a storage containeraccording to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 10A is a front view of a storage container according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view according to the line 10B-10B of thestorage container of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view according to the line 10B-10B of astorage container according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view according to the line 10B-10B of astorage container according to yet another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13A is a side schematic view of a storage container according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13B is an exploded partial view of the storage container of FIG.13A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a completed storage container 10 for thestorage and transport of goods includes a first container 12 and asecond container 14. The first container 12 and the second container 14are attached to one another, as described below, to form the completedcontainer 10. The completed container is 40 feet in length according toa dimension L, which is a length used to form shipping containers.

The completed container 10 is generally used to ship cargo in a shipacross seas. Upon arrival at a shipping destination, the completedcontainer 10 is capable of being separated into the first and secondcontainers 12, 14, as described below. Upon separation from one another,the first and second containers 12, 14 may be used for separateapplications. The completed container is generally made of steel ofdifferent varieties, but may be made of any suitable material.Anti-corrosive steel or an equivalent is often used to form thecompleted container 10.

The completed container 10 includes four corner posts 16 (two not seen)extending vertically according to the dimension H along junctions ofvarious panels used to form the completed container 10. The corner posts16 are formed from rolled high tensile steel, for example. Top siderails 15 and bottom side rails 17 extend horizontally according to thedimension L along junctions of the panels. Corner fittings 18 arelocated at the top and bottom of the corner posts 16. The cornerfittings 18 are formed of casted weldable steel, for example. The cornerposts 16 are designed to bear the load of the containers, particularlyas the containers are stacked one on top of another in the ship silo oron a loading dock, as is known in the art. The corner posts 16 alsoprovide structural support for lifters which grasp the completedcontainer at the corner fittings 18 and corner posts 16 to stack and/ortransport individual completed containers at a loading dock or on aship, as known in the art. The corner fittings include openings 19 forengagement by the lifters. The corner posts 16 and the rails 15, 17 arewelded into the corner fittings 18.

The completed container 10 is formed with panels and doors. Side panels21 extend between the corner posts 16 along the length L of thecompleted container 10. The side panels 21 are corrugated in order toprovide structural rigidity to the completed container 10. A top panel(not shown) extends along a top surface of the completed container 10between the top rails 15. A first end 23 and a second end 25 of thecompleted container 10 each include doors, described in more detailbelow. The completed container also includes a bottom (not shown)extending between the bottom rails 17. The side panels 21, top panel,bottom and doors located at the first and second ends 23, 25 togetherdefine an inside area of the completed container.

The first container 12 is 24 feet in length according to a dimension L1,and can be separated from the second container 14, as described below.The length L1 of the separated first container 12 is beneficial for useon the bed of transport trucks, as well as for storage applicationsinvolving pipe, which often measures approximately 24 feet. The secondcontainer 14 is approximately 16 feet in length according to a dimensionL2. The length L2 of the separated second container 14 is particularlybeneficial for use in storage applications where a 10 foot container istoo small and a 20 foot container is too long. The first or secondcontainer 12 or 14 may also be placed on flat rail cars and secured bytwistlocks at the bottom corner fittings of the first or secondcontainer. The first and second containers may be used in a variety ofapplications, and may remain permanently attached to one another,according to the application for which the completed container 10 is tobe used. It will also be appreciated that other length containers may beused to form a 40 foot container, such as a 25 foot first container anda 15 foot second container.

The first and second containers 12, 14 are joined at a junction point 26of the completed container 10. At the junction point 26, the first andsecond containers each include a front end 27. The front ends 27 of thefirst and second containers 12, 14 include corner posts 28, similar tothe corner posts 16 in form and function, and corner fittings 29,similar to the corner fittings 18. The front ends 27 are joined togetherby a joining apparatus 31, as described below, to form the completedcontainer 10. When detached from each other, the front ends 27 of thefirst and second containers 12, 14 may be provided with front panels(not shown) attached thereto, as described below. With the front panelsattached to the front ends 27, the first and second containers 12, 14are used for their respective applications, as described above.

The first and second containers 12, 14 are lifted using forklift pockets20 located along a lower edge of the containers, near a surface on whichthe containers rest. The forklift pockets, explained in greater detailbelow, extend laterally along a bottom of the containers 12, 14, and arespaced along the lengths L1 and L2 to allow for engagement with a forklift, which lifts the first or second container as known in the art.

With reference to FIG. 2, the first container 12 includes a door 30 atthe first end 23 of the completed container 10. The second container 14may also be provided with a door (not shown) at the second end 25 of thecompleted container. When used, the second door is typically tack weldedshut for customs purposes. The door 30 of the first container 12provides access to an inside area of the container, and through it,items may be placed in the completed container 10. At the first end, atunnel 32 extends along a bottom surface 34 of the first container 12,toward the second container 14.

With reference to FIG. 3, the tunnel 32, sometimes called a goosenecktunnel, extends along a portion of the first container 12. A commonapplication of the container 10 involves use with transport trucks. Thetunnel 32 of the container 10 is configured to interact with a bed (orgooseneck) of a transport truck. The tunnel 32 is defined by a firstside rail 36 and a second side rail 38 running approximately parallel toone another, a tunnel plate 40 extending between the first side rail andsecond side rail, and a back rail 42 extending between the first andsecond rails 36, 38. One of the forklift pockets 20 of the firstcontainer 12 extends laterally across the first container adjacent tothe bottom surface 34, and intersects with the tunnel 32.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the forklift pocket 20 is defined by abottom plate 44, a top plate 46, and fork lift pocket cross members 48.Additional cross members 50 are placed laterally along the bottomsurface 34 of the first container 12 at predetermined intervals toprovide structural support to the container and to provide an offsetbetween the surface on which the container rests and the inside area ofthe container, thus allowing container contents to remain dry shouldmoisture collect around the bottom surface 34 of the container. Thecross members 48, 50 are welded into the first and second side rail 36,38 in the area of the tunnel 32. Toward outer edges of the bottomsurface 34, the cross members are welded to the bottom side rails 17. Inthe area of the forklift pockets, openings 54 are placed in the bottomside rails 17 through which prongs of a forklift may pass into theforklift pocket. Openings 56 are also placed in the first and secondrails 36, 38 of the tunnel 32, allowing passage of the forklift prongsinto the tunnel 32. The openings 56 in the first and second rails 36, 38allow the forklift to lift the container. For example, a containerhaving openings in the side rails 36, 38 of the tunnel 32 allows aforklift to lift the container at the top plate 46 of the forkliftpocket 20 and at bearing members 49 attached to the tunnel plate 40,whereas a container not having the openings 56 allows a fork lift tolift only along the top plate 46 of the forklift pocket as the siderails 36, 38 of the tunnel 32 create a barrier through which theforklift cannot pass.

A container flooring 58 extends between the bottom side rails 17. Thecontainer flooring is formed of hardwood plywood, for example. In thearea of the tunnel 32, the container flooring is interrupted by thetunnel plate 40. The cross members 48, 50 are secured to a bottomsurface of the container flooring 58 by fasteners or other known means.The top plate 46 extends between the cross members 48 and is secured tothe bottom surface of the container flooring 58. The top plate 46 ispositioned offset to the tunnel plate 40 and the bottom side rails 17such that an upper surface of the container flooring 58 co-extends withan upper surface of the tunnel plate 40, providing an even surface forthe storage of goods within an inside area of the container.

The bottom surface 34 of the first container 12 is partially defined bythe container flooring 58 in areas outside the forklift pocket (see FIG.3). Cross members 48, 50 also partially define the bottom surface 34(see FIG. 3), as do the bottom side rails 17 (see FIG. 2), the tunnelplate 40 (see FIG. 4), and the bottom plate 44 of the forklift pocket 20(see FIG. 4).

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5A to 5C, the front end 27 of thecontainer 12 or 14 includes a top front rail 78, two verticallyextending corner posts 28, and a bottom front rail 82. The rails 78, 82and the posts 28 are joined by the corner fittings 29, into which thetop side rails 15 and bottom side rails 17 are also joined (see FIG. 1).An opening into an inner area of the container in the front end 27 isdefined by a top lip 90 of the top front rail 78, two side lips 92 ofthe corner posts 80, and a bottom lip 94 of the bottom front rail 82.The lips 90, 92, and 94 are used to secure a front panel of thecontainer 12 or 14, as described below.

The top front rail 78 includes an upwardly facing surface 96 on the toplip 90. The corner posts 80 include end surfaces 98 on the side lips 92.The bottom front rail 82 includes an outwardly facing surface 100. Thesurfaces 96, 98, and 100 are used to secure a joining panel, describedbelow, to the container 12 or 14. The opening of one of the first andsecond containers 12, 14 is aligned with a similar opening in the otherof the first and second containers 12, 14, and the front ends 27 of therespective containers are joined to form the completed container 10 (seeFIG. 1), as described below.

With reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the first or second container 12 or 14are shown with a panel 102 attached to the front end 27 thereof. Thefront panels are not attached during loading or shipment, but areattached after the containers arrive at the destination and are removedfrom the ship. The front panel 102 is corrugated in shape, and matchesthe corrugation of the side panels 21 of the first and second containers12, 14 (see FIG. 1). The front panel 102 includes a top end surface 104,an inner surface 106, and bottom end surface 108.

According to an exemplary method of the invention, the front panels 102of the first and second containers 12, 14 may be mounted to the insidearea of one or both of the containers 12, 14 for transport duringshipping of the completed container 10 (see FIG. 1). The front panels102 are secured to the side panels 21 in the inside area of thecontainer 12 or 14. The corrugated profile of the front panels 102matches that of the side panels 21 such that the front panels 102 nestinto the side panels 21, maximizing the inside area in which cargo orother storage items can be placed when the front panels 102 are securedto the side panels 21. The front panels 102 may be tack welded onto theside panels 21. Alternatively, the front panels 102 may include openingsfor engagement with a hook or a lashing ring, the hook or lashing ringbeing mounted on the side panel 21.

Once the container arrives at its destination and is unloaded, the frontpanels can be attached to the front ends 27 of the first and secondcontainers. The top end surface 104 is secured to the top lip 90 of thetop front rail 78 as shown in FIG. 6B. The inner surface 106 of thepanel 102 is secured to the second lips 92 as shown in FIG. 6C. Thebottom end surface 108 is secured to the bottom lip 94 of the bottomfront rail 82. The front panel 102 may be secured to the container 12 or14 along the lips 90, 92, and 94 by welding, for example.

The front ends 27 of the first and second containers 12 and 14 areplaced adjacent to one another in order to form the completed container10 (see FIG. 1). To form the completed container, the front panels 102are not attached to the front ends 27, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C.Rather, the panels 102 may be mounted to the side panels 21 eitherbefore or after the formation of the completed container, as describedabove.

With reference to FIGS. 7A to 8, the joining apparatus 31 (see FIG. 1)for joining the first and second containers 12, 14 includes a joiningpanel 110 used to place inside areas of the first and second containers12, 14 in communication with one another. The joining panel 110 includesa top joining panel 112, two side joining panels 114, and a bottomjoining panel 116. The joining panel 110 includes an opening 118extending therethrough. The top joining panel 112 includes a downwardlyfacing surface 120 which is secured to the upwardly facing surfaces 96of the top front rails 78. The side joining panels 114 include anoutwardly facing surface 121 which is secured to the end surfaces 98 ofthe corner posts 28 (see FIG. 5C). The bottom joining panel 116 includesend surfaces 122 which are secured to the outwardly facing surfaces 100of the bottom front rails 82. Slots can be provided in the top frontrails 78 to receive the side joining panels 114. The connections may bemade by welding, for example. The joining panel 110 is thus placedbetween the first and second containers 12, 14, with the front panels102 (see FIGS. 6A to 6C) removed therefrom, and secured to the first andsecond containers 12, 14. The opening 118 is placed in communicationwith the inside area of the containers, forming the completed containerhaving a through opening extending the entire length L of the completedcontainer 10 (see FIG. 1). The bottom joining panel 116 extends in aplane similar to that of the bottom lip 94 such that the bottom surfaceof the inside area of the completed container is even throughout.

The joining apparatus 31 further includes rails 124, 126, which are usedto secure the first and second container 12, 14 at the corner fittings29. Bottom joining rails 124 extend downwardly from the bottom joiningpanel 106 and are secured to opposing bottom corner fittings 29. Topjoining rails 126 are secured to the opposing upper corner fittings 29.Alternatively, the bottom joining rails 124 may have substantially thesame shape and/or form as the top joining rails 126. The rails 124, 126may be welded to the first and second containers 12, 14. Once the firstand second containers 12, 14 are joined, the completed container 10 canbe filled with cargo and shipped as desired.

Upon arrival at a shipping destination, the completed container 10 maybe cut in order for separate use of the first and second containers 12,14, according to their respective applications. The completed containeris cut along junctions between the joining panel 110 and the top frontrail 78, corner posts 28, and bottom front rail 82. Additionally, thecompleted container is cut along junctions between the bottom joiningrails 124 and the bottom corner fittings 84, and along the junctionsbetween the top joining panels 126 and the top corner fittings 84.Separation of the first and second containers 12, 14 occurs by processesknown in the art. The joining panel 110 and the joining rails 124, 126can then be thrown away or used for scrap.

The front panels 102 can be removed from the side panels 19 and securedto the front ends 27 of the first and second containers 12, 14 uponseparation of the first and second containers 12, 14, as shown in FIGS.6A to 6C. For example the tack welds described earlier, used to attachthe front panels 102 to the side panels 21, can be grounded down torelease the front panels 102 from the side panels 21. Or, front panels102 attached to side panels 21 with hooks or lashing rings may beremoved therefrom. The front panels 102 may then be secured to the frontends 27 of the first and second containers 12, 14, as shown in FIGS. 6Ato 6C. The two separate containers 12, 14 may then be used for theirrespective applications.

With reference to FIG. 9, a flow chart of a process for use of thestorage container is shown. In block 910, the front panels of the firstand second containers are mounted to the inside area of the first andsecond containers, creating an opening into the inside area of the firstand second containers at the front panels. In block 912, the first andsecond containers are joined together, forming the completed storagecontainer. To accomplish this, the front panels are placed adjacent toone another with their respective openings in communication with oneanother, forming the completed storage container. In block 916, thecompleted container is loaded with cargo in the inside area of thecompleted container. In block 918, the completed storage container isshipped with the cargo loaded therein. In block 920, the cargo isunloaded from the container upon arrival at a destination. In block 922,the completed container is separated into the first and secondcontainers. In block 924, the front panels are removed from the insidearea. In block 926, the front panels are mounted onto the fronts of thefirst and second containers.

The present invention may be used according to an advantageous financingmodel. The completed container 10 may be formed at a shipping origin.The completed container 10 may be used to ship cargo across seas fromthe shipping origin to a shipping destination. The completed container10 may be rented to a shipping company, which uses the container for theshipping of cargo from the shipping origin to the shipping destination.The storage container may be sold to a third party, preferably at theshipping destination, for use in shipping across sea or land, or sold asa container for the storage of goods, as described above. In thismanner, the manufacturer or seller of storage containers can transfercontainers from a shipping origin to a shipping destination withouthaving to pay the shipping costs associated with shipping the containersas cargo. One way rental of the completed container also precludes thenecessity of having to pay the costs associated with the return of thecompleted container 10, or any portion thereof, to the shipping origin.

In another embodiment, with reference to FIG. 10A, the front end 27 ofthe first container 12 includes two vertically extending corner posts28′, similar to the corner posts 16 in function, and corner fittings 29,similar to the corner fittings 18. The front end 27 further includes topfront rail 78 and a bottom front rail 82′.

With reference to FIG. 10B, in one embodiment, each corner post 28′includes a base 28C′, first and second legs 28B′ and 28D′, a connectingend portion 28A′, and a return end portion 28E′. The base 28C′, thefirst and second legs 28B′ and 28D′, the connecting end portion 28A′,and the return end portion 28E′ have respective thicknesses that may besubstantially equal to one another. The corner post 28′ may be made of ametal or a metal compound, for example. The corner post 28′ may beformed as a continuous structure, for example. Alternatively, the cornerpost 28′ may be formed by joining the members 28A′, 28B′, 28C′, 28D′,and 28E′ together, e.g., by welding.

The connecting end portion 28A′ and the second leg 28D′ are located atopposite ends of the corner post 28′. The connecting end portion 28A′abuts the first leg 28B′ to form a substantially perpendicular angle.Similarly, the first leg 28B′ abuts the base 28C′ to form asubstantially perpendicular angle. As such, the first leg 28B′ couplesthe connecting end portion 28A′ and the base 28C′.

The base 28C′ abuts the second leg 28D′ to form a substantiallyperpendicular angle. As such, the base 28C′ couples the first leg 28B′and the second leg 28D′. Similarly, the second leg 28D′ abuts the returnend portion 28E′ to form a substantially perpendicular angle. As such,the second leg 28D′ couples the base 28C′ and the return end portion28E′. The return end portion 28E′ has a surface 98′ facing an inner areaof the first container 12.

With reference to FIG. 10A, the base 28C′ and the first and second legs28B′ and 28D′ are disposed to define a shape similar to that of theletter ‘U.’ Similarly, the base 28C′, the second leg 28D′, and thereturn end portion 28E′ are disposed to define a shape similar to thatof the letter ‘U.’

With reference to FIG. 10A, the bottom front rail 82′ and the cornerposts 28′ are joined by the corner fittings 29. Similarly, the top frontrail 78 and the corner posts 28′ are joined by the corner fittings 29.An opening 200 (see FIG. 10B) into an inner area of the first container12 at the front end 27 is defined by the surfaces 98′ of the cornerposts 28′. The corner posts 28′ are spaced apart from each other suchthat the respective surfaces 98′ define a first interior width W₁.

With reference to FIG. 11, side panels 21 extend from the corner posts28′ along a length of the first container 12. The side panels 21 aresimilar to those described in previous embodiments and, as such, willnot be described in more detail below. A portion of the side panel 21 isoverlappingly engaged with a surface 202 of the connecting end portion28A′. The surface 202 of the connecting end portion 28A′ faces outwardof the first container 12.

The side panels 21 are spaced apart from each other such that respectivesurfaces 201 of the side panels define a second interior width W₂. In anexemplary embodiment, the first interior width W₁ and the secondinterior width W₂ may be substantially equal to each other. For example,the first interior width W₁ may be shorter than the second interiorwidth W₂ by the thickness of the connecting end portion 28A′, due to theoverlapping connection between the end portion 28A′ and the side panel.

With reference to FIG. 11, the first container 12 may include a frontpanel 102′ attached at the front end 27 thereof. The front panel 102′includes an inner surface 106. The front panel 102′ is similar in formand function to that described in previous embodiments and, as such,will not be described in more detail below. An end of the front panel102′ is secured to the end surface 98′ of one of the corner posts 28′.The other end of the front panel 102′ is secured to the end surface 98′of the other of the corner posts 28′. The ends of the front panel 102′may be secured to the end surfaces 98′ by welding, for example.

Similar to the front end 27 of the first container 12, the front end 27of the second container 14 includes two vertically extending cornerposts 28′, similar to the corner posts of the first container 12, andcorner fittings 29, similar to the corner fittings 29 of the firstcontainer 12. The front end 27 of the second container 14 furtherincludes top front rail 78 and a bottom front rail 82′, which are alsosimilar to corresponding rails of the first container 12. A front panel102′ similar to that of the first container 12 may be disposed at thefront end 27 of the second container 14. As such, the noted parts at thefront end 27 of the second container 14 will not be described in moredetail below.

The front ends 27 of the first and second containers 12 and 14 may beplaced to face each other, e.g., in order to form a completed containerhaving a through space from the interior of the first container, throughthe front ends of the first and second containers, into the interior ofthe second container.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the front panels102′ of the first and second containers 12, 14 may be mounted to theinside area of one or both of the containers 12, 14 for transport duringshipping of the completed container. When not in use, the front panels102′ are secured to the side panels 21 in the inside area of thecontainer 12 or 14. The corrugated profile of the front panels 102′matches that of the side panels 21 such that the front panels 102′ nestinto the side panels 21, maximizing the inside area in which cargo orother storage items can be placed when the front panels 102′ are securedto the side panels 21. The front panels 102′ may be tack welded onto theside panels 21. Alternatively, the front panels 102′ may includeopenings for engagement with a hook or a lashing ring, the hook orlashing ring being mounted on the side panel 21.

Once the container arrives at its destination and is unloaded, the frontpanels can be attached to the front ends 27 of the first and secondcontainers 12; 14.

In one embodiment, when the front panels 102′ are not attached to thefront ends 27 of the first and second container 12, 14, the joiningapparatus 31 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) can be used to join the first andsecond containers 12, 14 such that inside areas of the first and secondcontainers 12, 14 are placed in communication with one another. Thejoining apparatus 31 is similar to that described in previousembodiments and, as such, will not be described in more detail below. Aspreviously described with respect to previous embodiments, the joiningapparatus 31 includes side joining panels 114. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that, in the current embodiment, the sidejoining panels 114 may be sized to have a width substantially equal tothe first interior width W₁ (see FIG. 10B). With reference to FIG. 12,each side joining panel 114 includes a surface 121. The surface 121 issecured to the end surfaces 98′ of the corner posts 28′. The securingcan be performed by welding, for example.

When the above-described corner posts 28′ are disposed at the front endof each container 12, 14, an internal capacity (or inner volume) of thecontainer 12, 14 may be increased due to the first interior width W₁(see FIG. 10B) being defined to be substantially equal to the secondinterior width W₂ (see FIG. 10B).

According to embodiments previously described, the corner post 28′includes the return end portion 28E′ which provides additionalstructural support to the container 12, 14 at the front end 27 thereof.It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, alternatively,the corner post may not include the return end portion 28E′. That is,the corner post may include only the base 28C′, the first and secondlegs 28B′ and 28D′, and the connecting end portion 28A′. Here, an end ofthe front panel 102′ can be secured to (or can be disposed to overlap)surface 203 (see FIG. 11) of the second leg 28D′, for example.Alternatively, the end of the front panel 102′ may abut the corner postat one of the above-described portions of the corner post 28′ or anotherportion of the corner post 28′. Furthermore, the surfaces 121 of theside joining panel 114 of the joining apparatus 31 can be secured torespective surfaces of the second legs 28D′ that are spaced apart fromeach other by the first interior width W₁.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that,alternatively, the corner post 28′ may include a remaining portioncoupled with the return end portion 28E′, opposite the second leg 28D′,and extending further towards the opposite side panel 21. The remainingportion has an end surface facing an inner area of the container 12, 14.Here, such a remaining portion may be shorter than the return endportion 28E′ such that an interior width of an opening (similar toopening 200 of FIG. 10B) defined by the end surfaces of remainingportions of corner posts disposed opposite each other may still besubstantially equal to the second interior width W₂ (see FIG. 11).

According to embodiments previously described, the first and secondcontainers 12, 14 are lifted using forklift pockets 20 located along alower edge of the containers, near a surface on which the containersrest. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the area of the forkliftpockets 20, openings 54 are placed in the bottom side rails 17 throughwhich prongs of a forklift may pass into the forklift pocket.

In another embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, plates 130are mounted to bottom side rails 17 of a container to cover openings 54placed in the area of the forklift pockets 20. By way of example, theplates 130 are tack welded to the bottom side rails 17. Also by way ofexample, each of the plates 130 is tack welded to the bottom side rails17 at two or more corner regions of the plate 130. In one embodiment,plate 130 has a thickness of or about 1.6 mm.

Upon mounting of the plates 130 to the container 12, the forkliftpockets 20 of the container are no longer operational. That is, prongsof a forklift are no longer able to pass into the forklift pockets. Assuch, the container is compliant with standards of the InternationalUnion of Railways (UIC), e.g., UIC Code 592-20R. That is, the forkliftpockets 20 are covered to prepare the container for inlandtransportation by railway.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in addition toembodiments described above, plates 130 may similarly be mounted tobottom side rails 17 of containers 12, 14 (see, for example, FIG. 1) tocover openings 54 placed in the area of the forklift pockets 20. Assuch, containers 12, 14 are compliant with UIC standards.

Although this invention has been described in certain specificembodiments, many additional modifications and variations would beapparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the forklift pockets20 and the tunnel 32 can have other configurations and structure. Thebearing members 49 can be a single plate or several members of variousshape for receiving the load of a fork of a forklift.

It is therefore to be understood that this invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the present embodimentsof the invention should be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive.

1. A storage container comprising: a plurality of forklift pocketsextending laterally near a bottom surface of the storage container froma first lower side of the storage container, each of the forkliftpockets having an end opening located at the first lower side of thestorage container; and a plurality of pocket covers mounted to thestorage container such that the end openings of the forklift pockets arecovered.
 2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein each of the pocketcovers comprises a plate-shaped member.
 3. The storage container ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the pocket covers is mounted to thestorage container by tack welding.
 4. The storage container of claim 1,wherein at least one of the pocket covers has a thickness of about 1.6mm.
 5. The storage container of claim 1, further comprising: a tunnelextending along a portion of a length of the bottom surface of thestorage container from a first end of the storage container; the tunnelbeing defined by two spaced-apart side members extending perpendicularto the forklift pockets; and at least one opening in at least one of thetwo spaced-apart side members of the tunnel at an intersection of atleast one of the forklift pockets and the tunnel, the opening configuredto allow passage of a fork of a forklift from the at least one of theforklift pockets into the tunnel.
 6. A method of shipping a container,comprising: fixing a first container and a second container together,the first container measuring approximately 24 feet in length and thesecond container measuring approximately 16 feet in length, to form acompleted container measuring approximately 40 feet in length; mountingfront panels of the first and second containers to the completedcontainer such that a through opening of approximately 40 feet in lengthextends through the completed container; loading the completedcontainer; shipping the completed container; and unloading the completedcontainer, wherein each of the first and second containers includes aplurality of forklift pockets extending laterally near a bottom surfacethereof from a first lower side thereof, each of the forklift pocketshaving an end opening located at the first lower side thereof, andwherein the method further comprises mounting pocket covers to the firstand second containers such that the end openings are covered.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein each of the pocket covers comprises aplate-shaped member.